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EEEGR chief demands
Government clarity on
energy policy
EEEGR chief executive Simon Gray has joined
the growing clamour for the Government to be
crystal clear on its future commitment to the
UK windpower industry.
He spoke out after major companies
like Siemens and Areva warned that a lack of
decision-making and inconsistent comments
from ministers meant they would reassess the
level of political risk in the UK.
They are among international energy
companies with plans to invest hundreds of
millions of pounds on projects which will create
thousands of jobs in the UK.
Simon sought clarification after the latest
comments from new environment secretary
Owen Paterson and Tory climate change
minister Greg Barker about concerns over
high subsidy levels for the renewables sector.
“The industry needs to know what subsidies
and tariffs will apply before investors will
consider business plans for the development
of renewable energy sources,” he said.
“All sectors of the energy industry get
subsidised through one route or another. The
Wind turbine
manufacturer
meets suppliers
One of Europe’s biggest wind turbine
manufacturers was expected in Lowestoft - as
EEEGR News went to press - to meet potential
suppliers and partners.
French company AREVA was holding
a meet-the-buyer event at OrbisEnergy to
outline its products and plans for the UK
offshore market and hold one-to-one sessions
with selected companies in the regional
supply chain.
The event is part of EEEGR's extensive
work to support the development of the
regional energy supply chain, part financed
by the European Regional Development Fund.
Simon Gray, EEEGR chief executive,
said: “AREVA is going to be a major player
in the later Round Two and Round Three UK
offshore wind farms and this offered a major
Far left: Simon Gray
expects SNS2013 to
make a big impact
Left: The SNS2012 event
“ ONE THING IS CLEAR, AND
THAT IS WE WILL NEED
TO GET OUR ELECTRICITY
FROM SOMEWHERE... ”
oil and gas sectors enjoy tax benefits and
nuclear benefits from the decommissioning
and storage of materials, so none are quite as
transparent as it might first seem.
“The industry can respond to any changes
in government strategy if it actually has a clear
understanding of the policy and associated
time frames,” he added.
Through NSEA, both Norfolk and Suffolk
County Council already planned to seek clarity
from the Government - and EEEGR was urging
a much clearer and more consistent message
from political leaders.
“One thing is clear, and that is we will
need to get our electricity from somewhere
and this is particularly true if industry emerges
from recession and requires more energy
to grow.
“We are fortunate in this region in that
we have gas, offshore wind, nuclear and the
potential for carbon capture and storage,” said
the EEEGR chief executive, whose thoughts
were reported in the Eastern Daily Press and
other local media.
opportunity for companies in the region to
engage with them at an early stage.”
AREVA was providing information on its
M5000 turbine and talking about its operations
and maintenance plans.
Julian Brown, Areva’s head of wind in the
UK, said: “We are keen to develop our position
here. We have to get stuck in on the ground
and do the best we can in the confidence that
the government will make the right decisions
for the industry in the long term.
“The UK long term is the biggest market
by far but it is not all happening in the next five
minutes, it is happening over a period of time.
We encourage companies to get to know us
and meet us. Round Three is going to take 20
years to build.”
But he said there were opportunities for
regional companies in Germany now.
“There are turbines in the yard. If UK
suppliers are competitive then there is business
they can do now. They should come and
explore the opportunities now and not wait for
it to happen in the UK and the region.”
Positive start for
Special Interest Group
More than 50 industry professionals attended
the first Decommissioning Special Interest
Group (SIG) launched by EEEGR and Decom
North Sea.
And the depth of interest is growing with
around 100 people keen to follow the development
of the group which is due to meet again
on November 22nd.
Initial responses from delegates suggested
existing good all-round capability
in the oil & gas industry, with multi-skilled,
competent management and workforce, and
both knowledge and experience of the assets
in the SNS.
Key weaknesses recorded included a
lack of knowledge of project timescales and
future resource requirements, and also a
desire for greater understanding of operators’
contracting strategies. It was felt that further
infrastructure development would be required.
Members hoped the SIG would strive
to make the region a centre of excellence for
decommissioning, building on its competitive
and co-operative strengths.
It should also become a conduit for
information and knowledge flow, promote
business opportunities through networking
events and workgroups, and facilitate greater
co-operation across the sector. Part of that
could be achieved through closer engagement
with organisations such as DECC and Oil &
Gas UK.
Meanwhile, plans are progressing to
develop a nuclear industry SIG through cooperation
with the Nuclear Industry Association.
An event is being planned for next year.
NOVEMBER 2012 – 15